Pressure developer or press having a pressure roll containing composite material

Abstract

Roll-type presses or pressure developers include a pressure roll in which one of the load bearing and transmitting materials is a carbon fiber and epoxy composite. The pressure roll has an outer metal tubular sleeve which is filled or substantially filled with a composite material. In one form, an axially central loading shaft is employed and is bonded to the composite material. The material may be tapered from a central loading region on the shaft and outwardly toward the open ends of the sleeve. In another embodiment, the composite material itself forms the support shaft for the roll.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A multiple roll press useful for the development of latent images by the rupture of microcapsules on a web or sheet, in which one of the nip-forming pressure rolls comprises: a tubular outer shell member formed of metal and having an outer cylindrical nip-forming surface and defining a cylindrical space therein,   a support shaft disposed in said cylindrical space in generally coaxial relation to said shell member and defining with said member an annular space, and   a composite fiber load-support material disposed in said annular space forming a bond with said shell member and said shaft, said composite fiber load-support material being formed of a wound carbon filament fabric impregnated with an epoxy resin.   
     
     
       2. The press of claim 1 in which said composite material substantially fills said annular space. 
     
     
       3. The press of claim 1 in which said composite material joins said shaft exclusively at an axial center loading region of said shaft and tapers away from said shaft as said material approaches the ends of said shell member. 
     
     
       4. A multiple roll press useful for the development of latent images by the rupture of microcapsules on a web or sheet, in which one of the nip-forming pressure rolls comprises: a tubular outer shell member formed of metal and having an outer cylindrical nip-forming surface, said member defining a cylndrical space therein and having open ends,   a composite fiber load-support material disposed in said annular space forming a bond with said shell member;   said composite fiber load-support material being formed of a wound carbon filament fabric impregnated with an epoxy resin; and   means for supporting said one roll for rotation.   
     
     
       5. The press of claim 4 in which said supporting means comprises composite material extending through said open ends and forming journals. 
     
     
       6. The press of claim 5 in which said supporting means comprises a support shaft disposed in said cylindrical space through said composite material.